Attributes in Visual Basic

Attributes are keyword-like tags in which you can specify additional information about entities defined in Visual Basic applications. Attributes, which are saved with an assembly's metadata, annotate programming elements such as types, fields, methods, and properties. Other applications, such as the Visual Basic or ASP.NET compilers, can refer to the information in attributes to determine how objects should be used.

The following sections provide more information about attributes and how they are defined, applied, and retrieved.

In This Section

• Attributes Overview in Visual Basic
  Provides information about attributes and their functionality and capabilities.

• Attributes Used in Visual Basic
  Lists some of the attributes you are most likely to use in Visual Basic.

• Common Uses for Attributes
  Describes some of the more common ways that attributes are used.

• Application of Attributes
  Discusses how attributes are applied to program elements.

• Global Attributes in Visual Basic
  Provides information about attributes that apply to modules or assemblies.

• Custom Attributes in Visual Basic
  Shows how to define your own attributes.

Related Sections

• Object-Oriented Programming in Visual Basic
  Provides information about object-oriented programming and how it is used.

• Metadata and Self-Describing Components
  Provides detailed information about the kinds of metadata used in Visual Studio, including attributes.